No Ordinary Barn

When Megan and Kevin moved to Apex from Indiana a few years ago, their goal was always to find a piece of land that catered to the family’s hobbies. Megan explains, “We settled into a neighborhood at first, so our teenage sons could make connections in the area, but we knew it was only a matter of time before we looked for land where we could expand.” 

When they found a beautiful 52-acre property featuring a 1-acre pond, they knew it would be the perfect place to build. First on their list was a “boys’ playground” in the form of a barn, but the full vision for the space truly came together after meeting with their architect, Frazier Home Design, interior design company, Southern Studio, and Rufty Homes. 

“Southern Studio introduced us to the Rufty Homes team, and we instantly felt a connection,” Megan explains. “The first thing I noticed is that instead of only talking about the build and floorplans, Jon asked us about how we live, what our family likes to do, and things that are important to us. Taking the time to get to know us helped them create a custom space for us and that initial conversation stuck out to us and showed that Rufty does things differently.”

The original vision for the barn space started simple, with a batting cage area, gym, and storage space for the family’s four-wheelers and RV. However, over time, the family decided to expand the space to include a loft area for their sons to hang out with friends, a guest house space for visiting family members, and a bar and kitchen area perfect for entertaining. 

Senior Designer at Southern Studio, Kayla Boyle, was the lead designer for the project and enjoyed the challenge of creating a barn space that was functional and aesthetically beautiful. She explains, “Megan had a clear design in mind for the project and it was a joy working with her to bring it to life. We wanted to recognize that the space is a barn without making it too rustic. Instead, we incorporated little details like soft lines and feminine design touches that speak to Megan’s aesthetic while still being a place where teenage boys can have fun.”

These design elements, which include beautiful concrete floors, durable wallpaper, and eye-catching light fixtures, make the barn feel welcoming, yet elevated, and designed to be enjoyed by the entire family.

As the project evolved, Kevin and Megan were impressed by the Rufty team’s adaptability. Kevin explains, “During any build, things come up that you can’t always plan for, but Rufty Homes did a great job of coming up with creative solutions in the moment to help us build the space of our dreams.”

In the completed barn, the family enjoys entertaining, whether they’re serving food and drinks in the covered outdoor space or their sons are hosting friends and teammates to hit the batting cages. Megan says, “We added Phantom Screens in the indoor/outdoor area, along with heaters we can use in the winter so it’s a space to be enjoyed year-round. Best of all, the barn overlooks the pond, which is what we originally envisioned when we first found the property.”

Now that the barn is complete, Megan and Kevin are looking ahead to their next project, a custom home next to the barn which they’ll trust Rufty Homes to build. 

Kevin says, “We have big ideas for a home that also overlooks the pond, complete with an infinity edge pool perfect for relaxing. After completing the barn build with Frazier Home Design, Southern Studio, and Rufty Homes, we have full confidence that they’ll all work together to bring these ideas to life too, and we can’t wait to see the final result.”

Explore the full gallery of photos from this project here.

Take a look at the in-progress photos below to see the full process.